Australia's robotic bricklayer has just finished its first house - in under three days

By Chris Pash

November 15, 2018 — 7.11am

Australia’s one-armed robot bricklayer has just built its first house in under three days, a milestone described by its Perth-based creator as a "world first".

Robotic technology company FBR Ltd says the Hadrian X, the commercial version of its robot, built a 180-square metre, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in less than the targeted three days.

The last block being laid for the Hadrian X’s first full home structure built at Fastbrick's test facility. Credit:Fastbrick Robotics

"What we have achieved here is a quantum leap for the construction industry," chief executive Mike Pivac said.

"We are excited by the performance and results, given this work was completed in test speed and for the very first time."

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The feat was accomplished after completing Factory Acceptance Testing of the Hadrian X construction robot.

A structural engineering consultancy group verified the structure met relevant building standards.

"We are all justifiably proud and excited to have achieved this world first milestone for FBR," Pivac said.

"We now have the world’s only fully automated, end-to-end bricklaying solution, with a massive market waiting for it.

"We will now take everything we’ve learnt to date in the Hadrian X program and make some refinements ahead of bringing both Hadrian X robots back to our High Wycombe facility for demonstration to key commercial stakeholders.

"We now begin the next exciting phase for the company, as we execute our global commercialisation strategy to capitalise on the significant demand for our technology."

The Hadrian X requires minimal human interaction and works day and night, laying up to 1000 bricks an hour, about the output of two human bricklayers for a day.

The founders and staff will divide up a pool of shares issued to celebrate the milestone.

Chairman Richard Grellman says 6.6 million shares will be issued under the company’s performance rights plan.

FBR and US-based construction machinery giant Caterpillar in July this year extended a collaboration on the development of the one-armed robot bricklayer.

The deal extends the term of a memorandum of understanding signed 12 months ago. Caterpillar, through a wholly owned subsidiary, then invested $US2 million ($2.6 million) in Fastbrick Robotics.

Caterpillar now has the option to buy $US10 million in shares at $0.24 until the end of January 2019.

This story first appeared in Business Insider. Read it here or follow BusinessInsider Australia on Facebook.